Confusion hits Hispanic chamber leadership

Published: Saturday, February 02, 2008

CHRIS VAN WAGENEN

Mike Arismendez dismissed a circulating letter Friday that suggested someone other than himself is the chairman of the Lubbock Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and that questioned a proposed merger with the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce.

"I can tell you I'm chairman," said Arismendez, who was installed a little over a week ago.

However, Efren Villanueva introduced himself as chairman as part of the letter dated Jan. 30 - just one day prior to a merger vote that was tabled by Lubbock chamber with little explanation.

In his letter, Villanueva requested the Lubbock Hispanic chamber table its vote on the merger indefinitely.

Arismendez said the letter, which he said was inappropriate, had no bearing on the Lubbock chamber's decision to table the issue. Both organizations had agreed to the action prior to the letter's release.

The two chambers are performing their due diligence and merger talks are ongoing, he said.

The problem, which had nothing to do with the letter, Arismendez said, has been getting his board together to present a formal proposal on how the Hispanic chamber will retire its debt.

"We just haven't had time to do it. All of our volunteers work and have other things going on, but we will get it done." he said.

Eddie McBride, president of the Lubbock chamber, said Thursday, "During our recent merger talks with the Hispanic chamber we found several issues that needed further review by both boards."

Villanueva said he has nothing against the Lubbock chamber, acknowledging the letter and his request to put the merger on hold.

"I'm just waiting to see what Mike is going to do," he said, alluding to the thorny issue of a Jan. 18 election in which he claims he was elected chairman.

Another party nominated Villanueva from the floor and received several proxy votes. Arismendez said floor nominations are against the organization's bylaws, and the proxy votes cast on behalf of Villanueva involved former members of the Hispanic chamber who were no longer in good standing.

"We (the Hispanic board of directors) have already delivered our response to him about this inappropriate letter that purports him as chairman, which he's not," Arismendez said.

In the meantime, the Lubbock chamber released Friday the final results of a merger survey.

Of the 456 responses it received, 72 percent of its respondents were in favor of the merger, while 13 percent were opposed. The balance was not sure or undecided.